Retro Reads discussion

Thanks, Carol! I often find multiple POVs a barrier, too.

#7 here with book 6, finished 3/29/23, “The Slippery Staircase” by E.C.R. Lorac, ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️. Sorry, I can’t add the book, follow my review link if you’re interested.

I very much enjoyed this Golden Age mystery, starring Scotland Yard Inspector Macdonald investigating two murders. Here’s a link to my review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Susan--Here's your cover and book link:
Slippery Staircase,

I gave it the same grade, for pretty much the same reasons you did.

Barb in Maryland wrote: "Susan--Here's your cover and book link:
Slippery Staircase,

I gave it the same grade, for pretty much the same reasons you did."

Thanks Barb!

Added your book Susan!

Carol She's So Novel꧁꧂ wrote: "Added your book Susan!"

Thanks, Carol!

I may have to abandon the book pool temporarily. Having read the first book The Building Of Jalna in a 16-book series, I'm now deep into the fortunes of the Whiteoak family and am currently reading the tenth book! You know how it is when you get so engaged, you just can't stop reading . . .

Elinor wrote: "I may have to abandon the book pool temporarily. Having read the first book The Building Of Jalna in a 16-book series, I'm now deep into the fortunes of the Whiteoak family and am cur..."

Oh, yes, I’m sure we’ve all been down that rabbit hole! Read on, and enjoy! I did the same with the Lucia books, chose one for my pool, another Retro Pool Pal chose another, of course I’ve got to reread the others! Will probably do the same with my Wodehouse and Thirkell books, and my ECR Lorac mystery… a favorite author’s backlist is like potato chips- can’t eat just one! ;)

Elinor wrote: "I may have to abandon the book pool temporarily. Having read the first book The Building Of Jalna in a 16-book series, I'm now deep into the fortunes of the Whiteoak family and am cur..."

No worries Elinor - it is cool when the Book Pool inspires a reading path.

I've been taking part in a similar book pool in another group, but now that it has finished I should have more time for books in this pool.

Hi
#3 reporting in with book #3. Finished reading on 1 April.
Charlotte Fairlie
I liked it, but it wasn't one of her best IMO. 3.5 stars.
Review to come...
And here's my review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Hi, #11 here!

Book no, 2 - Miss Hargreaves, finished yesterday, April 1.

4-stars, although it would've been 3 1/2, were that an option.

I love the premise and it did have marvelously funny bits. But I think it would've benefited much from reading it one or two fell swoops, instead of dipping in and out of it, which is how I ended up reading it.

Elinor wrote: "I may have to abandon the book pool temporarily. Having read the first book The Building Of Jalna in a 16-book series, I'm now deep into the fortunes of the Whiteoak family and am cur..."

I can completely see how that could happen. The Jalna series is very addictive.

Entered your books barb & Jenn!

Mela #17

3rd book: Jill the Reckless by P.G. Wodehouse - 5 stars (I love P.G. Wodehouse's wit). Here link to my very short review.

Mela wrote: "Mela #17

3rd book: Jill the Reckless by P.G. Wodehouse - 5 stars (I love P.G. Wodehouse's wit). Here link to my very short review."
Added your book, Mela. I love Wodehouse.

#1 here with Book 6 Five for Sorrow, Ten for Joy by Rumer Godden. 5★ I think this is the best of Godden's nun stories. &, she pulled off writing devices I normally hate - more than one POV & flashbacks! Finished 10/4

#7 with book 6, Jill the Reckless by P.G. Wodehouse. 4 stars, finished 4/12/23. Interesting look at NY musical theater world of 1930s, more dramatic comedy. I think I prefer Bertie and Jeeves, but here’s my brief review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Added to your count Susan!

Carol She's So Novel꧁꧂ wrote: "Added to your count Susan!"

Thank you, dearest!

Reader #3 with book #4 read April 12, 2023.
Chip of the Flying U
The book was very old-fashioned (written 1906) and quite charming.
4 stars for entertainment value.

My brief review is here: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Barb in Maryland wrote: "Reader #3 with book #4 read April 12, 2023.
Chip of the Flying U
The book was very old-fashioned (written 1906) and quite charming.
4 stars f..."

Entered for you, Barb!

Carol She's So Novel꧁꧂ wrote: "Barb in Maryland wrote: "Reader #3 with book #4 read April 12, 2023.
Chip of the Flying U
The book was very old-fashioned (written 1906) and q..."
Thank you. Carol

Mela #17

4th book: Britannia Mews by Margery Sharp - 5 stars (I have read little so far by the author, but I am going to read as much as I can find in the future. I love her style). Here a link to my review.

Entered for you Mela!

#12
Book 2 Finished April 15
Rated 5 stars
Mistress of Mellyn / Victoria Holt
It matters not how many times I read this book, I still get 5 star pleasure and satisfaction from it.

Lesley wrote: "#12
Book 2 Finished April 15
Rated 5 stars
Mistress of Mellyn / Victoria Holt
It matters not how many times I read this book, I still get 5 star pleasure and satisfacti..."

Entered for you, Lesley. It is my favourite Holt. :)

Carol She's So Novel꧁꧂ wrote: "Lesley wrote: "#12
Book 2 Finished April 15
Rated 5 stars
Mistress of Mellyn / Victoria Holt
It matters not how many times I read this book, I still get 5 star pleasure..."

That was quick! Were you sitting there waiting for me? lol

Yes, given this is the second read (recorded) that I've made, I think it is my favourite too.

I'm faster than a speeding bullet! 😁

I'm usually online at this time.

I remember Tadiana recommending The Shivering Sands I have a copy & might move it up in my reading pile.

#15 reporting:

I finished book #3 today: “Onions in the Stew” by Betty MacDonald. 😊
For anyone considering moving to an island full-time, this should be required reading. Definitely not for the faint-hearted. 🤣🤣 A 4-star read for me.

I started to read Honey in the Horn
but quickly decided that for me it is a dud. dnf

Kate, as a child I loved the series of books about Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle and I've been meaning to read either Onions in the Stew or possibly The Egg and I which I believe is more famous. Have you read that one?

#11 checking in!

Book no, 3 - Jill the Reckless, finished this afternoon (4/23).

4-stars. Reliably delightful, as Wodehouse tends to be. It felt a wee bit long in the beginning but I was head over heels for it, once things moved to America. Really loved the theater setting.

Noted your dnf Cindy & added your reads Jenn & Kate!

CindySR wrote: "I started to read Honey in the Horn
but quickly decided that for me it is a dud. dnf"

Sorry to hear that, Cindy—it’s one I had on my list and recently ordered!

Abigail wrote: "CindySR wrote: "I started to read Honey in the Horn
but quickly decided that for me it is a dud. dnf"

Sorry to hear that, Cindy—it’s one I had on my list and recently ordered!"

It is a Pulitzer winner so worth reading at some point!

In response to Jackie’s question, I have not read “The Egg and I” or the Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle series. I chose “Onions in the Stew” because we don’t live far from Vashon and had dear friends who had a “cabin” there. The author’s escapades (some of them brought about by her own naïveté and others due to island life in general) certainly gave me a better understanding of our friends’ love for their place. 😊

Kate wrote: "In response to Jackie’s question, I have not read “The Egg and I” or the Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle series. I chose “Onions in the Stew” because we don’t live far from Vashon and had dear friends who had a..."

I've read and greatly enjoyed all of the Betty MacDonald memoirs, although I do think the two mentioned are the most memorable. Although I originally knew "The Egg and I" from the film. There are some dated bits (which her heirs acknowledge in the most recent edition), but worth the time, I think.

I also love Betty MacDonald’s books. I think my favorite is The Plague and I.

#1 with Book #7
The Dancing Bear by Frances Faviell. The start of this memoir of the author's time in occupied Berlin is absolutely compelling. It remains an interesting read throughout, but does lose a little with the narrow focus. I have two more of the author's books on my kindle & look forward to reading them. 4★ Finished 25/04.

Carol She's So Novel꧁꧂ wrote: "#1 with Book #7
The Dancing Bear by Frances Faviell. The start of this memoir of the author's time in occupied Berlin is absolutely compelling. It remains an interesting read throug..."

Good to know, I started that one after finishing A Chelsea Concerto last month, definitely want to get back to it.

#3 here with book #5 Read 4/26/2023 Rate it 4* (may raise this later).
A Coffin for Dimitrios
I'm showing the original cover for the book, from 1939, because the cover for the edition I read is boring beyond belief!
I really enjoyed this--intelligent, witty (without being 'wink, wink' snarky), and, in too many instances, a reminder of how little things have changed since the 1920s-'30s.
Review to come...
Review now available here: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Barb in Maryland wrote: "#3 here with book #5 Read 4/26/2023 Rate it 4* (may raise this later).
A Coffin for Dimitrios
I'm showing the original cover for the book,..."

Entered for you Barb. I thought I owned this one but I don't. I really want to read it though, so I may buy.

Thank you, Carol.
If you can find an inexpensive edition, I think it would be worth the purchase price.

Carol She's So Novel꧁꧂ wrote: "Barb in Maryland wrote: "#3 here with book #5 Read 4/26/2023 Rate it 4* (may raise this later).
A Coffin for Dimitrios
I'm showing the ori..."

This is top of my list, too, sounds very exciting! Thought this cover was striking!

Susan in NC wrote: "Carol She's So Novel꧁꧂ wrote: "Barb in Maryland wrote: "#3 here with book #5 Read 4/26/2023 Rate it 4* (may raise this later).
A Coffin for Dimitrios[bookcover:A Coffin for Dimitrio..."

Hey everyone! I found this free audio book online and the voice artist is awesome:

https://archive.org/details/a-coffin-...

CindySR wrote: "Hey everyone! I found this free audio book online and the voice artist is awesome:
."

Cool! I found an online version at Open Library, but last time I got a book from there I could only borrow it for an hour at a time.

Carol, that's always the way it is at open library, at least in my experience. It works, though.

Carol She's So Novel꧁꧂ wrote: "CindySR wrote: "Hey everyone! I found this free audio book online and the voice artist is awesome:
."

Cool! I found an online version at Open Library, but last time I got a book from there I could..."

They did that a while ago for circulation reasons. But, when your hour is up you can immediately re-issue for another hour.

#12 Lesley
Book #3 Murder in the Snow / Gladys Mitchell
Finished Apr 24
2.5 stars
To be honest I was a bit disappointed in this book, and yet I'm sure Gladys Mitchell was one of my favourite authors in the Agatha Christie style. If it hadn't been for the visual memory of the TV series starring Diana Rigg, there would have been nothing in the plot description to imagine. Despite the mystery having similarities to The Moving Finger / Agatha Christie, the plot was a little bit dull and just seemed to meander along to a conclusion without tension.
Disappointed.

CindySR wrote: "Susan in NC wrote: "Carol She's So Novel꧁꧂ wrote: "Barb in Maryland wrote: "#3 here with book #5 Read 4/26/2023 Rate it 4* (may raise this later).
A Coffin for Dimitrios[bookcover:A..."

Thanks Cindy!